cooking brisket: December 2006

Holiday Fantasy Fudge

Steve loves my mother's fudge recipe. Actually everyone I've ever given fudge to has loved my mother's fudge recipe. The secret is that she found it years ago on the back of a Marshmallow Fluff jar. They've since changed their recipe, but mom's remains the same.

Ingredients:

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1 pkg. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate pieces
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped nuts (optional if you're not making it for my father!)
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2 to 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.

Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat or until candy thermometer reaches 234° F., stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.

Stir in chocolate pieces until melted.

Add marshmallow crème, nuts and vanilla. Beat until well blended.

Pour into a greased 13-by-9-inch pan.

Cool at room temperature. Cut into squares.

aaaah a LONG Holiday Weekend....

I can’t believe it’s finally here! A long weekend – full of no work (that I’m going to be doing at my office anyway), lots of laughter, and my parents! Wahoo! I am totally excited! My parents know me better than anyone else (well…. about most things but we won’t go into that…. Tee hee hee) and they always seem to know just what it takes to get me to relax and just ‘be’. I am so excited to be able to take the time and do that this weekend.

Christmas started to happen at my house – finally. Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen, but it did – and I am SO glad. No, the big tree isn’t up this year, but I do have my little German tree, and it’s loaded with all kinds of things that remind me of my German Christmas’s growing up. It’s in our entry way, and it’s there to see me off in the morning, and greet me when I come home each night. The stockings are hung (all 9 of them) and are awaiting the magic that fills them up on Christmas Eve (and boy are there fun things to fill them up with!). There are baskets and plates filled with red, gold, white, and clear glittery, sparkly ornaments popping up here and there. Christmas cards and other holiday greetings have filled our mantle to overflowing – we are so blessed!

The ingredients have been purchased to make our holiday ‘take arounds” for our neighbors and friends (some who are as close as family!). Mom and I will head to Wally World to pick up a few things so that she can make her famous hot fudge recipe (yum!) and we’ll drop that off to one of her dearest friends – hopefully we’ll be able to pop over and visit another one of them too.

My shopping is as done as it’s going to be. I’m sure I’ll find a few things to add to the bounty. I can’t wait to see the faces of some of our guests – I think they’ll really love their gifts, or at least I hope so. A lot of work and thought went into them. Mom and I plan to go and visit IKEA tomorrow, and I never leave without spending a few more dollars than I had planned. We’ll probably stop by Burlington Coat Factory and Kohl’s because, well quite honestly they are some of her favorite shopping places – and they don’t have them in Farmington where they live.

Our Christmas Eve dinner has been planned out, homemade Mexican Style (chicken enchiladas, tamales, rice, homemade refried beans, guacamole, etc – maybe even a little queso dip for good measure). Christmas Breakfast (hash brown casserole, French toast casserole and cranberry scones) and our Christmas Day dinner is ready to be shopped for and finished (both turkey and ham, mashed potatoes, frog eye salad, homemade Beste bread –YUM!!, Christmas cheesecake, and a few vegi’s for good measure). Food will definitely be plentiful, and I’ll probably gain a few pounds, but over the holidays I don’t mind. It’ll jump start me into my body toning plan for next year. It’ll be a big hurrah before I go on my healthy food run.

A quick thought that touched me this season:

"For a few moments, may we set aside the catalogs of Christmas, with their gifts of exotic description. Let's even turn from the flowers for Mother, the special tie for Father, the cute doll, the train that whistles, the long-awaited bicycle—even the books and videos—and direct our thoughts to God-given gifts that endure." ~ Thomas S. Monson

Sadly, so much of Christmas is commercialized. One of the greatest things my parents ever decided to do was only give us 3 gifts at Christmas (of course, this was after we all knew Santa's secret), just as Jesus recieved 3 gifts - one from each wisemen. I think it really helped us remember why we celebrate and remember such an important day. I think Steve and I will likely do the same.

A Little Bit of Christmas Heaven

Since I haven't been able to get any holiday baking done (yet), I went shopping for a few holiday treats to tide us over (yeah... US.... riiiiight...). What did my eyes behold, and NOT at Easter time? Be still my heart.... Cadbury Chocolate Balls! Oh My Stars and Bananas! I was in chocolate heaven! I bought 3 bags, and have forbidden Steve from touching them! (You can normally only find these delectible treasures at Easter, in the shape of an egg. Finding them at Christmas was my own little tasty Christmas miracle!)

AAAND.... if you're a candycane or chocolate lover, you simply must try a bag of the new Hersheys Candy Cane Kisses. WOW..... they are SOOOO yummy! THey're starting to become hard to find (and my area is totally sold out - Mom and Dad are going to try and find some out in NM to tide me over - or get me out of this phase.)

I wish that both of these yummies were made into tiny treats so that I could turn them into incredible cookies - especially those cadbury chocolates! They're SOOOOO melt in your mouth yummy!

With treats like this around, I might never bake again!

Prayer Request

Updated: Ainsley and Bekki are home from the hospital. It turns out that little Ainsley's lungs couldn't absorb enough oxygen, so she was doing a lot of wheezing. After Bek gave her a few breathing treatments and not seeing results, she took her to the ER (where she works) and asked her doctor friend what he thought. He thought it would be best to check her into the hospital - and it's a good thing! Little Ainsley's lungs needed some special stuff and steroids to get them processing right. (that would be my non-medical interpretation of Bekki's medical explaination to me).

So glad that they're home and Ainsley is babbling and grunting away. She, by the way, has decided that talking in a comprehendable language is highly overrated and that grunting is the way of the future. Too bad that Bekki doesn't think the same way! :)

Thank you for your prayers, well wishes, and heartfelt thoughts! I have a firm testimony in the power of prayer and the help/miracles it can bring!

My sweet, darling, and tender niece, Ainsley, is in the hospital with some breathing problems. She's had breathing problems in the past, but it's really bad this time. If you could add her to your prayers, I would really appreciate it.

My sister, Bekki, is a RN (so nice and handy), and has been able to take care of Ainsleys treatments in the past. But this time she needs more help. She's been staying with her at the hospital night and day. Prayers on her behalf and for the other kids (Arissa and Micheal) and their dad (Shaun)would be great too!

Thanks!

Lemon-Butter Red Potatoes

This is another recipe is from Heather D. White – I told you she NEVER steers me wrong!

Ingredients:
10-15 red potatoes, quartered
1/3 C. butter (no substitutes)
2 T. olive oil
1/3 C. lemon juice
3 T. fresh chives, minced (or 1 ½ T. dried)
2 T. fresh parsley, minced (or 1 T. dried)
1 T. grated lemon peel
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. nutmeg

Instructions:
Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned (the browning gives it the flavor). Remove from the heat; stir in remaining ingredients. Drain potatoes and toss with lemon butter. Serve and enjoy!

Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Roast

This recipe is from someone I served on the Rusty Pickle Design Team with, and is someone whose recipes have NEVER failed me – the fabulous and creative Heather D. White! Steve and I really love this recipe!

Ingredients:
1 pork loin roast (2 ½ - 3 lbs.)(can be boneless or not)

1 can (16 oz.) jellied whole cranberries

1 C. dried cranberries

½ C. sugar

½ C. cranberry juice or ½ C. orange juice

1 tsp. dry mustard

¼ tsp. ground cloves

2 T. cornstarch

2 T. cold water

Instructions:
Place pork roast bone side down in a slow cooker/crock pot. In a medium bowl, mash cranberry sauce. Stir in sugar, cranberry juice, orange juice, mustard and cloves. Pour over roast. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours. If boneless, cook on low for 6-8 hours. Cook until meat is tender. Remove roast and keep warm. Skim fat from juices; measure 2 cups, adding water if necessary and pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Combine cornstarch and cold water to make a paste; stir into gravy. Cook and stir until thickened. Season with salt. Serve with sliced pork.

A great dish to accompany this is the Lemon-Butter Red Potatoes (also from Heather D. White!)

Hawaiian Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)

I’m a huge fan of Kings Hawaiian Bread. I can eat a whole package (and of course make myself sick in the process) by myself. I decided that it was high time I find a way to make it myself. This is a combination of recipes, and it’s worked out well for me."

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup mashed banana
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, with juice
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, softened
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup instant potato flakes
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Instructions:

Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Light setting; press Start. :)

Portuguese Sweet Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)

My previous roommate, Christa, brought home some Portuguese bread home with her from New England. It was beyond delicious and before we knew it, all of the bread she had brought home was gone. I started hunting for a recipe that would work, and this has finally filled need. It’s definitely a sweet bread, and is very good with salad fillings – especially chicken salad! Yum!

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

DIRECTIONS:
Add ingredients in order suggested by your manufacturer. Select "sweet bread" setting.

NOTES:

Depending on your altitude and humidity level you may need to add more yeast or flour. My east coast friends use 1 standard package of yeast (2&1/4 tsp) instead of 2 & 1/2 teaspoons called for in the recipe.
I will sometimes use this bread as a base recipe and add in 1/4 c. of finely chopped coconut, 1 teaspoon of coconut extract and use coconut milk in place of the milk to make a coconut variation. Another twist I use with this bread is to add 1/4 c. of crystallize ginger and 2 tsp. of Lemon juice to the recipe.
If you’re a real sugar lover, (or just like your bread sweeter than it already is) add about six packets of aspartame (Sweet 'N Low) to the recipe. I know that might sound funny, but if you just add more sugar, the bread crust becomes really dark. Don't use NutraSweet; NutraSweet doesn't hold up under high temperatures and therefore is not useful for baking.

More Recipes...

A few of you have requested some of my holiday recipes, the yummy Ohio Buckeyes for starters. I've started loading my Christmas holiday recipes into my recipe blog. You can find the address over on the toolbar on the right side. I'm getting ready to load a few bread recipes now!

Ohio Buckeyes

These chocolate yummies are VERY popular in Ohio - aka the Buckeye State. In fact, that's where I learned to make them! You generally see it available during the Christmas holiday season, or at Buckeye Tailgate parties! If you're a Reece's Peanut Butter candy lover, you'll be in heaven!

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter, softened
1 t. vanilla extract
4 c. sifted confectioners (powdered) sugar (a little over a whole box)
10 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips (or the whole bag)
2 T. shortening

Instructions:

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar you’re your hands to form a smooth stiff dough. (at first you can use a mixer, but it will get too stiff to use your mixer with. Shape the dough into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan, and refrigerate.

Melt shortening and chocolate together in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.

Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

A few tips:

When making the balls, it is so much easier using a small cookie scoop. This way all the buckeyes are the same size and it takes a fraction of the time. Trust me; it is worth the $5 to invest in one.
When making these balls for holiday plates and parties that are a bit fancier, I put the dipped balls into holiday mini cupcake liners. It makes serving them much tidier, festive, and everyone’s fingers don’t get into all of the balls. (Normally though, no liners)
Depending on your climate/humidity you may need to use less or more sugar. If you find that your dough is dry as you begin to roll your peanut butter balls, next time use less sugar. To save your batch add some milk 1 tsp at a time to moisten your dough. You may also find that working the dough (i.e. warming it with your hands) will also do the trick.
Another fun and FAST way to get the same tasty result, is to double the recipe, press the peanut butter part in a 9 x 9 glass pan, pour the melted chocolate over top, refrigerate, and then cut into small squares when thoroughly chilled. It saves the time of forming each ball and dipping them.
If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some of the following to your peanut butter mixture: rice krispies, coconut, finely chopped nuts. Or, use part creamy peanut butter and part chunky!

I can’t believe it! Christmas is almost here – seriously! No, the tree isn’t up. Honestly, I don’t see it going up this year, there is just WAY too much going on in the Ales household. Of course, this is on top of the already crazy busy schedule I’ve been holding up. Yikes – can’t wait for it to all be over!

We’re almost done with our Christmas shopping, and the Christmas menu’s are ready to shop for. Mom and Dad (and Scotty too!) will arrive sometime Friday and will spend the holiday with us (SO looking forward to it!). It’ll be great to have someone to prepare our meals with – and even improve the recipes with!

The house is just about as festive as it is going to get this year. I am going to drag a few more things out of the attic though. I need some bling-y ornaments out – it simply won’t be Christmas without them.

This year, we’re taking some of our friends and neighbors treat bags. Rather than going with cookies and candies, we’re doing a sweet and salty combination. I’m hoping to make big batches of my chex mix (it’s the basic recipe with a few extra ingredients) and batches of my caramel chocolate popcorn (think Harry & David’s Moose Mix! I’m addicted!). We’ll put together packages with bags of each – so everyone will have both!

Be sure to stop by the Maya Road Design Team blog tomorrow! We each created projects to share! There is all kinds of creative festive fun going on!

Christmas 2006: Getting into the Spirit

I’m trying REALLY hard to get myself into the Christmas spirit. This year, it’s harder than I expected it to be. Working so many hours, hasn’t allowed me to do the things I normally do that make it “feel” like Christmas. In years past, some of the things I’ve done to get into the Christmas spirit include:

Choosing a boy from an “angel tree” who is the same age as Dylan. It’s a fun way to do something positive in his memory, and in turn keeping me in touch with things little boys his age do.
Singing away and to my hearts content with the church choir and joyfully join in the congregational singing of Christmas music and of course this naturally includes singing in the car, in line at the store, and at work! I’m admitting it, but I haven’t yet joined a choir in Texas. There… it’s out there. All of my Utah college friends are probably in shock, and my Ohio friends probably are too. (I’m a big time lover of singing!) Mom and Dad don’t be TOO shocked when you come out next week. I know, I LOVE to sing. But, honestly we haven’t made it to church in a few weeks (you already know that though). Both Steve and I’s work schedules have been REALLY crazy. I’ve been working 7 days straight for almost a month (wait… that’s almost 28 days straight… this girl needs a BREAK!) – Sunday’s included. A few of my favorite Christmas church songs are: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, A Single Star (Choir Arrangement), The First Noel, Silent Night (Stille Nacht auf Deutsche), and Sleep Holy Child (performance arrangement).
Baking up a festive storm and delivering treat plates to friends and family. I love to bake (my mother instilled this in me at a very young age). Of course, it’s always great to share the calories with others (and thus eliminating some of the temptation to us!) Some of my favorite holiday yummies include Christmas Cherry Bread (It’s a Beste thing), Russian Teacakes, German Spice Cookies (with almonds!), Ohio Buckeyes, Butter Spritz Cookies and Corn Flake wreaths! Unfortunately, there hasn't been any time to bake yet! Boo!
Decking the Halls (aka our house) with all kinds of festive jolly. I LOVE putting up my Christmas tree. It’s taken me a while to find the perfect decorations for it (and of course, every year I find a few more to add to it). I love how it ends up... totally packed with ornaments all in red, gold, clear, cream, or “natural” (like grapevine stars, german straw stars, pinecones, etc). The only decorating I've done this year (so far) is to hang a few "spare" stockings on the fireplace mantel for our guests, and wreaths on the front door (front and back). Depressing, eh? Hopefully this weekend we'll get to decking our halls!
Jamming to Holiday tunes. This year, I added a few new discs to my collection. I LOVE bluegrass music (Allison Krauss and Nickel Creek are a few favorites- it’s too bad that neither have Christmas discs!) and have really been hoping to find a few discs in that genre. Bah – haven’t found any yet. I do have plenty of Country Christmas music though. Two other cd’s that I added to our collection this year are Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan (awesome, incredible and beautiful album!) and Sounds of the Season by John Legend (Dad, you’ll love this one, it’s very jazzy and bluesy!). Of course, I can’t help but pop in my old time music (ha ha ha) like the nSync Christmas CD, Jessica Simpson’s CD, or one of Mariah Carey’s holiday CD’s. And of course, it just isn’t Christmas without Neil Diamond singing to me (curses to my mother – I HATED it growing up, but now it’s just not the same).
Shopping on Black Friday. Although in years past this has been a lot of fun (in Ohio with my girl friends), I haven’t done it in at least 3 years. As fun as it was, I can’t say that I’m terribly heartbroken that I haven’t participated. I’m more heartbroken that I still have plenty of shopping still to do!
Secret Santa Exchanges. I’m participating in 3 different exchanges. Yes, 3!! I’m playing with my co-Pink Ladies over at ScrapTalk.com, and with the other designers on the Maya Road Design Team. I’m also playing at work – yikes… no wonder I don’t have all of my shopping done, I’m too busy being a Secret Santa!
Making my Christmas Cards. THis year, I actually have a plan - and it's in motion. Those of you who know me well, know that I am HORRIBLE at starting projects and not getting them finished. I'm just that way! But, the cards are going to go out this year - even if I don't get a minutes sleep! Many of my friends and family expect something handmade, especially since I do so much design work. Honestly, the pressure of creating something that will do (and sometimes it'll just HAVE to do) is overwhelming and nothing gets done.

Hopefully, as the rest of the week rolls on, I'll get a few more things accomplished. Hopefully I'll be a bit more in the holiday, festive mood. Hopefully, I'll not be at work so much this weekend and can actually get a few things accomplished!

Something Festive

I've been trying to spend a bit of time creating. It's the easiest and cheapest therapy or relaxation technique I can think of (well, when I don't "need" something to "finish" my "project"

that is... tee hee hee). I love that I can do it whenever I have a spare minute - and quite honestly spare minutes are in VERY short supply lately.

I picked up a "'tis the season" kit from Becky Novacek at Silver Bella last month. I had not found the time to sit down and create but have wanted to create it for my holiday decor. I managed to carve out a bit of time here and there over the last few days, and this is the result. I utilized products I had handy, and put my own spin onto Becky's design. I love how it turned out!

The products I used on my project include: Scenic Route Patterned Paper, Magnetic Poetry ('tis the") stamps, Maya Road Sheer Alphabet Letters, Ranger Dabber Acrylic Paint, Vintage Gold Glass Glitter, Magic Scraps buttons, Making Memories rub ons, Scenic Route Chipboard letters, Plaid crackle & acrylic paints, and finally, scrabble board and letters. (i know I know... the inhumanity of ruining a scrabble game - but i'm sure Becky bought them soley for this purchase and did not thieve them from an actual game.)

Catching Up: a Meme

Some time ago, Sophia had this as a blogging challenge. I started it, but didn't post it. So, it's overdue, but now it's posted. :)

one. I am a... daughter, wife, aunt, niece, coworker, designer, mother, friend, chef, artist, karaoke queen, and so much more!
two. My mother knows me best!
three. I feel... tired, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
four. the most important thing in my life is... my huge, crazy, wild, dramatic families (they aren’t things though)
five. I always carry... my Burts Bees Lip Balm
six. I think people are... generally nice.
seven. I’m at my happiest when I’m... with my family or creating.
eight. on a Monday morning, you can find me at... work.
nine. my favorite food ingredient is ... umm all of them?
ten. my eyes are... unusual.
eleven. my favorite material possession is... my wedding ring.
twelve. to relax, I like to... get a massage.
thirteen. the town I live in is... small!
fourteen. my worst habit is... shopping.
fifteen. my guilty pleasure is... shopping.
sixteen. when I look at someone, the first thing I see is... their smile.
seventeen. I think... self agency is awesome!
eighteen. I can live... without guilt.
nineteen. I wish... I had my family living closer to me.
twenty. my life is ... perfect just for me.

Christmas Ornament Inspiration

If you're in need of some holiday inspiration, stop by the Maya Road Design Team Blog today to check out some ornaments that we've been working on! All of the gals seriously rocked the theme - I have been SO inspired! Hopefully, I'll have some time this weekend to do some creating of my own!